American Flyer O Scale Model Trains
American Flyer is one of the pioneer companies in the US to promote model trains. Although American Flyer only became popular during the 50s with their S-type of trains, the company has already been in business for more than 50 years before that. Established in the early 1900s, the American Flyer initially started in Chicago, releasing wind-up O-gauge trains. Before and during WWI, American Flyer became very popular because its innovative electric powered O gauge model which is basically a converted wind-up version. Along with other American companies that built model trains such as Lionel, American Flyer is one of the fierce competitors with the German manufacturers who were very popular during those years.
However, the company decided to put a stop on the production of the American Flyer O Scale Model Trains in 1949. By the time production of O scale was discontinued, two variants were already made; the O27, O72 and the widely popular S-scale which is 25% smaller compared to the O scale. It was only during the acquisition of Lionel in 1979 that the company resumed its production of O Scale and its variants. Although under Lionel, American Flyer and its designs were kept intact to cater to the demands of the collectors worldwide.
However, the company decided to put a stop on the production of the American Flyer O Scale Model Trains in 1949. By the time production of O scale was discontinued, two variants were already made; the O27, O72 and the widely popular S-scale which is 25% smaller compared to the O scale. It was only during the acquisition of Lionel in 1979 that the company resumed its production of O Scale and its variants. Although under Lionel, American Flyer and its designs were kept intact to cater to the demands of the collectors worldwide.